Imphal: Tensions remain high in Manipur as Kuki-Zo civil society organisations have strongly opposed Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand‘s proposed visit to Churachandpur, saying the prevailing security situation and unresolved ethnic conflict make such a visit “untimely and inappropriate.”
The Kuki Civil Society Organisations (KCSOs), a coalition of prominent Kuki-Zo bodies in Churachandpur, announced that no Meitei individual, government official, or delegation including the Chief Minister would be allowed to enter the district until a political resolution to the ongoing conflict is reached.
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex socio-political organisation of the Kuki community, also appealed to the Chief Minister to postpone the visit. In a statement, KIM warned that proceeding with the tour despite local opposition could become a flashpoint, potentially disrupting the fragile peace process and further aggravating tensions.
While the Chief Minister’s recent visits to several hill districts have been viewed as confidence-building measures in some areas, KIM maintained that the situation in Kuki-Zo-majority districts such as Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Tengnoupal remains highly sensitive. The organisation cautioned that any attempt to force an official visit could deepen the trust deficit between communities and undermine ongoing efforts aimed at restoring normalcy.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, several leading Kuki-Zo organisations including Kuki Inpi Churachandpur, KSO Churachandpur, Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (General Headquarters), Kuki Women Union, Kuki Khanglai Lawmpi (General Headquarters) and the Kuki Chiefs Association Churachandpur reaffirmed their collective stand.
“Until a just and lasting solution to the Kuki-Zo–Meitei conflict is achieved, no Meitei individual, official, or delegation, including the Chief Minister of Manipur, will be permitted to enter our district,” the organisations said.
The boycott reflects the Kuki-Zo community’s continuing demand for a separate administrative arrangement, including a separate state or Union Territory with legislative safeguards. Since the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023, movement between Meitei- and Kuki-Zo-dominated areas has remained severely restricted, with both communities largely residing in geographically segregated regions.
The latest development underscores the continuing political and ethnic divide in Manipur, where efforts to rebuild trust remain fragile despite repeated appeals for peace and reconciliation. The proposed visit, intended as an outreach initiative, has instead highlighted the deep-seated mistrust that continues to shape the state’s conflict landscape.